2024-08-20 CC MinutesFARMERS BRANCH
Tuesday, August 20, 2024
City of Farmers Branch
Action Meeting Minutes
City Council
6:00 PM
Farmers Branch City Hall 13000 Wm Dodson Pkwy Farmers Branch, TX 75234
Council Chambers
The full video of this meeting is available on the City website at hltps: (armersbranch. legistar.com Calendar.aspx .
Council Present: Mayor Terry Lynne, Mayor Pro Tern Omar Roman, Deputy Mayor Pro Tern Richard
Jackson (via Zoom), Councilmember Martin Baird, Councilmember David Reid,
Council member Roger Neal
City Staff Present: City Manager Ben Williamson, Deputy City Manager Jawaria Tareen, Assistant to the
City Manager Jennifer Rainey, Director of Administrative Services Stacy Henderson,
City Attorney David Berman, Director of Public Works Ray Silva-Reyes, Director of
Parks Rob Diaz, Director of Economic Development Perla Tavera, Director of Finance,
Fleet, and Facilities Tammy Zimmerman, and other City staff
CALL TO ORDER -STUDY SESSION (4 P.M.)
Mayor Lynne called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON STUDY SESSION ITEMS
Carol Smith, 2033 Haymeadow Drive, Carrollton, Texas, spoke in support of Bloomin' Bluegrass.
Danny Gilbreath, 2557 Cheyenne Lane, Crowley, Texas, spoke in support of Bloomin' Bluegrass.
Bob Hatfield, 3651 Blende, North Richland Hills, Texas, spoke in support of Bloomin' Bluegrass.
Shirley Owens, I 8 I 9 Yarborough Drive, Sherman, Texas, spoke in support of Bloomin' Bluegrass.
Danny Logan, 879 Vineyard Road, Gunter, Texas, spoke in support of Bloom in' Bluegrass.
Glenda Martin, 1407 Tierra Calle, Carrollton, Texas, spoke in support of Bloom in' Bluegrass.
Catherine Dodson, I 0907 Palace Way, Dallas, Texas, spoke in support of Bloom in' Bluegrass.
Kirk Green, 6121 Rock Ridge Drive, Flower Mound, Texas, spoke in support of Bloom in' Bluegrass.
Scott Owen, 210 Boisenberry Drive, Garland, Texas, spoke in support of Bloom in' Bluegrass.
Riley Gilbreath, 2557 Cheyenne Lane, Crowley, Texas, spoke in support of Bloom in' Bluegrass.
April Sellers, 2211 Versailles Drive, Carrollton, Texas, spoke in support of Bloom in' Bluegrass.
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Joseph Reigel, 1364 7 Greystone Drive, Farmers Branch, Texas, spoke on the budget and bonds that passed
in the last special election.
C.6 Discuss moving the Bloomin' Bluegrass Festival to an indoor facility and City sponsorship
opportunities.
Mayor Lynne announced he received one letter in the mail in favor of Bloom in' Bluegrass.
Economic Development Director Perla Tavera gave a presentation highlighting background information on
the event and the sponsorship agreement being presented.
The majority of the Council gave direction to come back to Council with the sponsorship agreement.
C.1 Discuss regular agenda items.
Mayor Pro Tern Roman requested Item K.7 related to a fayade agreement be moved to the Regular Agenda.
Council member Neal had questions on Item K.2 related to changes to the Code of Ordinances in regard to
regulations on vacant buildings.
C.2 Receive a presentation from Oncor to provide an overview of serv ices to the City of Farmers
Branch.
Oncor Area Manager Kita Hobbs gave a presentation explaining background information on Oncor, areas of
service, community partnerships Oncor is involved with, public safety education efforts, efforts taken to
improve the electric grid, causes for outages, preparations taken to prepare for seasonal changes, information
on critical care customers, and ways to connect with Oncor.
C.3 Discuss topics for the Proposed Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget meetings and related timing.
Finance Director Tammy Zimmerman gave a presentation explaining the timeline of the budget process, the
next steps in the process, the dynamics of the budget, and the communication plan with the public.
The Council had questions on various budget items, and gave suggestions for the public communication plan
and infonnation to include in the printed materials.
Mayor Lynne recessed the Study Session and convened into Executive Session at 5: 18 p.m.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
D.1 The City Council will convene into a closed Executive Session pursuant to Texas Government
Code Section 551.071 for the purpose of seeking confidential legal advice from the City
Attorney regarding the Firehouse Theatre's Facility Use Agreement.
CALL TO ORDER -REGULAR MEETING
Mayor Lynne called the Regular Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
INVOCATION & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
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Council member Neal led the invocation and pledge of allegiance.
CEREMONIAL ITEMS
G.1 Presentation of the Employee of the Month Award for the month of July to Robert White of
the Fire Department.
Mayor Lynne presented Robert White with the Employee of the Month A ward.
ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST
Mayor Lynne presented items of community interest.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
Cindy Goodspeed, 13834 Tanglewood Drive, Farmers Branch, Texas, spoke in favor of continuing support
for the Firehouse Theatre.
Norma Aguilar, 12706 Epps Field Road, spoke on inclusivity and issuing a Hispanic Heritage Month
proclamation.
CONSENT AGENDA
Mayor Lynne announced Item K.7 would move to Regular Agenda Item M.4.
K.1 Consider approving the following City Council meeting minutes; and take appropriate action.
•August 6, 2024, City Council Meeting
K.2 Consider adopting Ordinance No. 3884, approving amendments to Chapter 56, Property
Maintenance, of the Code of Ordinances related to amending the Vacant Building
Registration ordinance; and take appropriate action.
K.3 Consider approving Resolution No. 2024-131 authorizing the City Manager to purchase a
Chevy Tahoe Vehicle with Reliable Chevrolet in the amount of $52,278.09 and the equipment
package from Defender Supply in the amount of $17,280.55 through an Interlocal
Cooperative Purchasing Agreement for the Police Department; and take appropriate action.
K.4 Consider approving Resolution No. 2024-137 authorizing the purchase of one new Ford F550
Bucket Truck in the amount of $187,569 from Sewell Ford of Odessa through the Houston
Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) Cooperative Purchasing Program; and take appropriate
action.
K.5 Consider approving Resolution No. 2024-125 awarding the 2024 Signal Head Replacement to
Bean Electric, Inc. in the amount of $152,955; and take appropriate action.
K.6 Consider approving Resolution No. 2024-128 accepting a Neighborhood Partnership Program
application for 2525 Charlie Bird Parkway; and take appropriate action.
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K. 7 ConsideF af)f)FOving Resolution No. 2024 129 authoFizing the City ManageF to eneute a
CommeFeiol Fo1;1ade Revitalizotion CFont AgFeement feF 4880 Alf)ho Road; and tal.e
af)f)FOf)Fiate action. (moved to Regular Agenda Item M.4)
K.8 Consider approving Ordinance No. 3876 amending the Farmers Branch Code of Ordinance,
Section 82-95 "No Parking Zones" to add a no-parking zone on the southern side of Millwood
Drive from the intersection with Josey Lane to the western boundary of Mallon Park from 10
p.m. to 6 a.m., require appropriate signage, and take appropriate action.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tern Roman, seconded by Councilmember Reid, to approve the
Consent Agenda as amended. The motion carried with the following vote:
Aye: Mayor Pro Tern Roman, Deputy Mayor Pro Tern Richard Jackson, Councilmember Baird,
Councilmember Neal, Councilmember Reid
PUBLIC HEARING
There were no public hearings held during this meeting.
REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
M.1 Receive an update on the Mercer Crossing area infrastructure and Mercer Park
development.
Parks and Recreation Director Rob Diaz and Public Works Director Ray Silva-Reyes gave a presentation
explaining the background of the development project, the status of the public improvement projects that are
remaining, and received comments from the developer, Sean Terry.
Sean Terry answered questions from the Council related to the status of the development of the Mercer Park
area.
M.2 Consider approving Resolution No. 2024-152 authorizing the City Manager to execute a First
Amended and Restated Facility Use Agreement with the Farmers Branch Community
Theatre, Inc. for the utilization of the facility located at 2535 Valley View Lane; and take
appropriate action.
The item was tabled to a future meeting.
M.3 Consider approving a motion to place a proposal to adopt a maximum property tax rate of
$0.604075 on the City Council agenda for September 17, 2024, and schedule a public hearing
on the proposed maximum property tax rate for September 17, 2024; both meetings to be
held at 6:00 p.m. at the City of Farmers Branch, City Hall Council Chambers, located at
13000 William Dodson Parkway, Farmers Branch, Texas; and take appropriate action.
Finance Director Tammy Zimmerman gave a presentation explaining the amount of the proposed tax rate,
state requirements on public hearings related to adopting a tax rate, gave a breakdown of the proposed tax
rate, and the comparison of the tax rate to neighboring cities.
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A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tern Roman, seconded by Councilmember Neal, to approve
considering the adoption of a maximum property tax rate of $0.604075 on the City Council agenda for
September 17, 2024 and scheduling a public hearing on the proposed maximum property tax rate for
September 17, 2024; both meetings will be held at 6:00 p.m. at the City of Farmers Branch, City Hall
Council Chambers, at 13000 William Dodson Parkway, Farmers Branch, Texas, 75234. The motion
required a roll call vote. The motion carried with the following:
Aye: Mayor Pro Tern Roman, Deputy Mayor Pro Tern Jackson, Councilmember Baird, Councilmember
Reid, Council member Neal
M.4 Consider approving Resolution No. 2024-129 authorizing the City Manager to execute a
Commercial Fa�ade Revitalization Grant Agreement for 4880 Alpha Road; and take
appropriate action.
Director of Economic Development Perla Tavera gave a presentation explaining what the fa�ade program is
and the details of the request.
Applicant Jason Maddox answered questions from Council on the building and the future uses.
The item was tabled to allow the applicant to provide further information to the Council.
Mayor Lynne recessed the Regular Agenda and reconvened the Study Session at 7:21 p.m.
STUDY SESSION
C.6 Discuss the Budget Town Hall.
Communications Manager Ashtyn Anders and Finance Director Tammy Zimmerman gave a presentation on
the communication plan for the event, the agenda for the event, and the budget information to be included in
printed materials.
The Council gave suggestions on items to include in printed materials and slide formaning.
C.6 Review and discuss the Demo/Rebuild Program and provide direction to staff.
Economic Development Director Perla Tavera gave a presentation explaining the current program
requirements and how the program compares to neighboring cities.
The majority of Counci I gave direction to research raising the incentive costs to match current inflation and
to lengthen rebate timeframes, and requested infonnation on the return on investment rates.
C. 7 Receive an update from the Mayor and Council Members regarding board liaison
information from outside organizations and other meetings attended.
The Council gave updates regarding outside organizations.
C.8 Discuss future agenda items.
Mayor Pro Tern Roman requested a proclamation for Hispanic Heritage Month and an item on the City's
pricing and purchasing policy.
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Mayor Pro Tern Roman also requested to go back to Item C.3 related to the proposed budget for further
discussion.
Councilrnernber Reid requested an item related to the process for proclamations.
Council member Neal requested an update on the status of the fire hydrant repainting project and an item on
an assessment of trees that were lost during the recent storm on City property.
Deputy Mayor Pro Tern Jackson requested an item on the details of the City's fayade program.
C.3 Discuss topics for the Proposed Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget meetings and related timing.
Mayor Pro Tern Roman proposed having an outside source do a staffing audit to see if there is adequate
staffing in the City.
Mayor Lynne gave direction to have a future agenda item on this subject.
C.8 Discuss future agenda items.
Mayor Lynne requested an item related to water consumption rates.
Mayor Lynne convened back into Executive Session at 8:25 p.rn.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
D.2 The City Council will convene into closed Executive Session pursuant to Texas Government
Code Section 551.071, Legal Consultation, to discuss and receive legal advice from the City
Attorney regarding pending litigation and se ttlement in the Estate of the Fontebasso case.
D.3 Cit y Council may convene into closed Executive Session pursuant to Section 551.074,
Personnel, of the Texas Government Code to deliberate the evaluation and reappointment of
the City's Municipal Court Judge.
D.4 The City Council may convene into a closed Executive Session pursuant to Texas Government
Code Section 551.074, Personnel, to review and evaluate attorney firms and legal
representation.
Mayor Lynne reconvened the Regular Agenda at I 0:05 p.m.
TAKE ANY ACTION AS A RESULT OF THE CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION
No action was taken as a result of the Executive Session.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Lynne adjourned the Regular Meeting at I 0:05 p.m.
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Mayor Terry Lynne
August 20, 2024
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